October 15 may feel far away.

But if you have a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare prescription drug coverage, August is actually a good time to start preparing for Medicare Open Enrollment.

Not by changing plans.

Not by trying to choose a 2027 plan before the information is available.

And definitely not by assuming that whatever worked for you in 2026 will automatically be the right choice for 2027.

Instead, use the next several weeks to answer a much simpler question:

What does my Medicare coverage actually need to do for me next year?

Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. During this period, beneficiaries can make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage for the following year. Changes made during Open Enrollment generally take effect January 1, 2027, as long as the plan receives the enrollment request by December 7.

But you don’t have to wait until October 15 to get organized.

In fact, preparing now may make your eventual plan review considerably easier.

Here is what to start doing.

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First: Don’t Try to Pick Your 2027 Medicare Plan Yet

This is important.

As of August 24, 2026, CMS has finalized many of the federal policies and payment rules affecting Medicare Advantage and Part D in 2027.

But that isn’t the same thing as having all of the final consumer-level plan information for your area.

CMS says it expects to release the finalized 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape in mid-to-late September, along with final average premium information and other key details.

So right now, you shouldn’t be trying to answer:

“Which 2027 Medicare Advantage plan should I choose?”

You don’t have all the information yet.

Instead, answer:

“What information will I need when it’s time to compare?”

That’s what August and early September are for.

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Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15

Let’s establish the dates first.

October 15, 2026

Medicare Open Enrollment begins.

December 7, 2026

Medicare Open Enrollment ends.

January 1, 2027

Coverage changes made during Open Enrollment generally take effect.

During the October 15–December 7 Open Enrollment Period, depending on your current coverage, Medicare allows you to:

• Switch Medicare Advantage plans
• Join a Medicare Advantage plan
• Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare
• Join, drop or switch Medicare drug plans
• Make certain changes involving Medicare Advantage drug coverage

But here’s something equally important:

You don’t have to change plans just because Open Enrollment arrives.

The purpose of your annual review is to determine whether your current coverage still fits.

Sometimes it does.

Sometimes it doesn’t.

The review comes first.

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Your 2027 Medicare Open Enrollment Preparation Checklist

If you’re wondering what you can actually do before October 15, start here.

Gather:

☐ Your current Medicare plan name

☐ Your Medicare card

☐ Primary care doctor’s information

☐ Specialists you currently see

☐ Preferred hospitals and medical facilities

☐ Complete prescription list

☐ Prescription dosage and frequency

☐ Preferred pharmacy

☐ Current monthly plan premium

☐ Current prescription costs

☐ Typical copayments and coinsurance

☐ Current maximum out-of-pocket limit if you’re in Medicare Advantage

☐ Supplemental benefits you actually use

☐ Any major healthcare needs you anticipate in 2027

☐ Questions or frustrations you’ve had with your current plan

That becomes your Medicare review file.

When 2027 plan information becomes available, you aren’t starting from zero.

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Step 1: Write Down Your Exact Current Plan

You’d be surprised how many people know the insurance company’s name but not their actual Medicare plan.

They’ll say:

“I have Humana.”

or:

“I’m with UnitedHealthcare.”

That’s not enough for a proper annual review.

A carrier may offer multiple Medicare Advantage or Part D plans in the same area.

Write down the exact plan name from your insurance card or plan documents.

Also note:

• Plan type
• Member ID
• Current monthly premium
• Whether prescription coverage is included

The goal isn’t to change anything today.

It’s simply to establish your baseline.

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Step 2: Build Your Doctor List

This should be one of the most important parts of your review.

Write down every provider you want to continue seeing in 2027.

That might include:

Primary care physician

Then your specialists:

• Cardiologist
• Oncologist
• Endocrinologist
• Neurologist
• Orthopedist
• Ophthalmologist
• ENT
• Dermatologist
• Other specialists

Don’t rely on memory.

Write them down.

If you’re married, create a separate list for each spouse.

Why?

Because two people living in the same house can have completely different healthcare needs.

When 2027 Medicare Advantage networks become available for review, you’ll have a clear list of providers to check.

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Step 3: Write Down Your Preferred Hospitals

Doctors aren’t the only network consideration.

Ask yourself:

If something serious happens, which hospital do I want access to?

Write down the hospitals and health systems you prefer.

This can matter significantly with Medicare Advantage because plans may use provider networks.

Medicare explains that Medicare Advantage plans can have different rules for how beneficiaries receive services and may require use of network providers depending on the plan.

So don’t review:

Doctors only.

Review:

Doctors + specialists + hospitals.

That’s a much stronger coverage review.

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Step 4: Make a Complete Prescription List

This is one of the most important things you can do before Open Enrollment.

Take every medication you currently use and write down:

• Drug name
• Dosage
• Quantity
• How often you take it

Don’t write:

“Blood-pressure medication.”

Write the actual medication.

And don’t forget prescriptions you only fill periodically.

Why?

Because Medicare Part D plans can have different:

• Formularies
• Drug tiers
• Pharmacy arrangements
• Utilization-management requirements
• Costs

Your prescription list allows you to compare what your medications may cost rather than simply looking at a plan’s premium.

If you’re currently in Original Medicare with a standalone Part D plan, Medicare allows you to switch drug plans during Open Enrollment.

That’s why prescription preparation matters.

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Step 5: Identify Your Preferred Pharmacy

Where do you actually want to pick up your prescriptions?

Write it down.

Maybe it’s:

• A neighborhood pharmacy
• A major retail pharmacy
• A grocery-store pharmacy
• Mail order
• Another pharmacy convenient to your home

Your preferred pharmacy matters because prescription costs can vary based on a plan’s pharmacy arrangements.

So when 2027 Part D and Medicare Advantage prescription coverage becomes available for comparison, don’t ask only:

“Is my medication covered?”

Also ask:

“What could it cost at the pharmacy I actually use?”

We’ve covered the importance of formularies in our local Part D guide:

What Happens If Your Medication Is Not on a Part D Formulary?

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Step 6: Figure Out What Your Current Medicare Plan Really Cost You

Don’t judge your plan solely by its monthly premium.

That’s especially important with Medicare Advantage.

A $0 plan premium doesn’t mean:

$0 healthcare costs.

Look at what you’ve actually spent during 2026.

Consider:

• Monthly premium
• Specialist copays
• Hospital costs
• Outpatient procedures
• Imaging
• Emergency room
• Urgent care
• Prescription costs
• Other recurring medical expenses

Then ask:

Did the plan work financially the way I expected?

That’s a much better question than:

“What’s the cheapest plan?”

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Step 7: Know Your Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit

If you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage, find your plan’s current maximum out-of-pocket amount for covered Part A and Part B services under the plan.

Write it down.

Your maximum out-of-pocket limit is an important part of understanding your financial exposure.

When comparing 2027 Medicare Advantage plans, don’t look only at:

$0 premium

or

$0 PCP copay.

Look at the whole cost structure.

You can learn more about how Medicare Advantage works through our:

Medicare Advantage Plans Guide

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Step 8: Review Which Extra Benefits You Actually Used

This is one of my favorite questions for an annual Medicare review:

Which benefits did you actually use this year?

Maybe your Medicare Advantage plan advertised:

• Dental
• Vision
• Hearing
• OTC
• Transportation
• Fitness
• Allowances
• Other supplemental benefits

Now look back at 2026.

Did you actually use them?

If you received an OTC benefit but barely used it, that tells you something.

If your dental benefit saved you significant money, that tells you something too.

If transportation has become essential because you no longer drive, that benefit may have much greater value for you in 2027 than it did previously.

Your plan should be evaluated based on usable value, not just the number of benefits printed in a brochure.

We’ve explained this approach in more detail here:

How to Compare OTC, Transportation and Fitness Benefits

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Step 9: Think About What May Change in Your Life in 2027

Annual plan reviews shouldn’t look only backward.

Look forward too.

Ask:

Are you expecting surgery?

Did you recently receive a new diagnosis?

Are you seeing a new specialist?

Did your doctor prescribe a new medication?

Are you moving?

Are you spending more time outside Florida?

Are you becoming a snowbird?

Are you considering changing doctors?

Has transportation become more important?

Do you expect major dental work?

You can’t predict everything.

But known upcoming healthcare needs should absolutely be part of your Medicare review.

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Step 10: Write Down What Frustrated You About Your Plan

This is incredibly useful.

Ask yourself:

What annoyed me about my Medicare coverage this year?

Maybe:

“My specialist wasn’t in network.”

“My prescription became expensive.”

“I had trouble getting prior authorization.”

“The dental benefit wasn’t what I thought it was.”

“My preferred pharmacy wasn’t the cheapest option.”

“I don’t like needing referrals.”

“I travel frequently and want more flexibility.”

Write those frustrations down.

When you eventually compare 2027 options, they become questions.

Instead of saying:

“Find me something better.”

you can say:

“I want to know whether another available option addresses these specific problems.”

That’s a much more productive plan review.

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Step 11: Watch for Your Annual Notice of Change

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare drug plan, pay close attention to the plan materials you receive heading into fall.

Your Annual Notice of Change, commonly called the ANOC, is especially important.

It explains changes to your current plan for the upcoming year.

Don’t throw it away.

Don’t put it in a drawer unopened.

Read it.

When reviewing your 2027 coverage, look for changes involving things like:

• Premiums
• Deductibles
• Copayments
• Coinsurance
• Drug coverage
• Benefits
• Other plan rules

Your current plan can change from one year to the next.

That’s one of the biggest reasons Medicare Open Enrollment exists.

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“My Plan Worked Fine in 2026. Why Should I Review It?”

Because both sides of the equation can change.

Your plan can change.

And:

You can change.

Maybe your plan stays relatively similar but you’ve added three prescriptions.

That’s a reason to review.

Maybe your medications stay the same but your plan changes its formulary.

That’s a reason to review.

Maybe your medical needs remain stable but your favorite specialist’s network participation changes.

That’s a reason to review.

An annual Medicare review isn’t necessarily about switching.

It’s about confirming.

Does my current coverage still fit my current needs for the coming year?

If yes, great.

If not, Open Enrollment gives you an opportunity to examine alternatives.

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Don’t Choose a 2027 Plan Based Only on the Premium

When plan information becomes available, you’ll probably see a lot of advertising.

One number will receive plenty of attention:

$0

A $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan can certainly be appropriate for some beneficiaries.

But premium alone doesn’t tell you:

• Whether your doctor is in network
• Whether your hospital participates
• Whether your prescriptions are covered
• Your specialist copay
• Hospital cost-sharing
• Maximum out-of-pocket exposure
• Prior-authorization requirements
• Whether the extra benefits fit your needs

The same principle applies to Part D.

A low monthly premium isn’t automatically the lowest-cost option once your specific medications are included.

Compare the whole picture.

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2027 Part D Is Particularly Worth Watching

There is another reason prescription coverage deserves attention this fall.

CMS has already announced that the 2027 national base beneficiary premium for Part D will be $41.33.

But that does not mean every Part D plan will cost $41.33.

The national base beneficiary premium is part of the statutory calculation used in determining plan-specific premiums.

Actual plan premiums will vary.

CMS says final average Medicare Advantage and Part D premiums and the 2027 plan landscape are expected in September.

So again:

Don’t try to pick your 2027 drug plan in August.

Build your medication list now.

Compare when the actual plan information becomes available.

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Should You Automatically Switch Plans During Open Enrollment?

No.

Open Enrollment is an opportunity to review and change coverage, not a requirement to change.

If your existing plan continues to:

• Cover your medications appropriately
• Include your doctors
• Include your preferred hospitals
• Fit your budget
• Provide benefits you value
• Meet your healthcare needs

then your annual review may confirm that staying where you are makes sense.

The objective isn’t:

Switch every year.

It’s:

Review every year.

That’s a major difference.

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Be Careful About Changing Medigap During AEP

Here’s an important clarification.

The October 15–December 7 Medicare Open Enrollment Period is primarily about Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage.

It isn’t a universal Medigap open-enrollment window.

If you have Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement policy, don’t assume October 15 gives you unrestricted rights to switch Medigap policies.

Medicare warns that if you drop a Medigap policy, you may not necessarily be able to get it back.

That’s a separate decision and should be handled carefully.

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Don’t Confuse Medicare Open Enrollment With the Marketplace

Another common source of confusion:

Medicare Open Enrollment

October 15–December 7

is not the same thing as:

Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment.

Medicare explicitly notes that its Open Enrollment Period is separate from the Marketplace.

If you already have Medicare, Medicare’s enrollment rules are the ones relevant to your Medicare Advantage and Part D choices.

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What You’ll Want to Compare Once 2027 Plans Are Available

Once the 2027 information is released, take the checklist you created and compare plans against it.

For Medicare Advantage, your review should generally include:

What to Compare	What to Ask
Doctors	Are my doctors participating?
Specialists	Are the specialists I use participating?
Hospitals	Are my preferred facilities included?
Prescriptions	Are my medications on the formulary?
Pharmacy	What could my prescriptions cost there?
Premium	What is my monthly premium?
Medical costs	What are the copays and coinsurance?
MOOP	What is my maximum out-of-pocket exposure?
Benefits	Which supplemental benefits would I actually use?
Plan rules	Are referrals or prior authorization relevant to my care?

For Part D, concentrate especially on:

medications + formulary + pharmacy + total expected cost.

That’s much stronger than comparing plans by premium alone.

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Create a One-Page Medicare Review Sheet

Here’s a simple format you can use right now.

MY CURRENT MEDICARE COVERAGE

Plan: ___________________________

Monthly premium: __________________

MY DOCTORS

Primary doctor: ____________________

Specialist #1: _____________________

Specialist #2: _____________________

Specialist #3: _____________________

MY HOSPITAL

Preferred hospital: ________________

MY PRESCRIPTIONS

Medication #1 / Dose: ______________

Medication #2 / Dose: ______________

Medication #3 / Dose: ______________

Medication #4 / Dose: ______________

MY PHARMACY

Preferred pharmacy: _________________

BENEFITS I ACTUALLY USE

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PROBLEMS I’VE HAD THIS YEAR

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EXPECTED HEALTHCARE NEEDS FOR 2027

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QUESTIONS FOR MY 2027 REVIEW

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Put this sheet somewhere safe.

When October arrives, you’ve already done most of the organizational work.

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What Should You Do Between Now and October 15?

Think of the next several weeks in stages.

Late August

Organize.

Doctors, prescriptions, pharmacy, hospitals, costs and current plan.

September

Watch for information.

Pay attention to your plan’s communications and the release of finalized 2027 plan information.

CMS says the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape is expected in mid-to-late September.

October 1–14

Review.

This is when you can begin making sense of the upcoming year’s options before Open Enrollment officially begins.

October 15–December 7

Decide.

If a change makes sense, this is the annual period when you can make the applicable Medicare Advantage or Part D change for January 1.

Notice what we aren’t doing:

Rushing.

Preparation now gives you more time to make an informed decision later.

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Start Preparing for Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 Now

You don’t need to choose a 2027 Medicare plan today.

But you can make October much easier.

Start collecting:

Your plan.

Your doctors.

Your specialists.

Your hospitals.

Your prescriptions.

Your pharmacy.

Your costs.

Your benefits.

Your concerns.

Your anticipated healthcare needs.

Then when 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D details become available, you’ll have something meaningful to compare them against.

For additional Medicare coverage information, you can explore Medicare Plan Assistance’s Medicare Advantage guide or start from the Medicare Plan Assistance coverage and plan comparison center.

For the government’s complete set of available Medicare Advantage and Part D options, use Medicare.gov Open Enrollment and Medicare Plan Finder when 2027 plan information is available.

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Medicare Open Enrollment Help

If you want help preparing for the 2027 Medicare Open Enrollment Period, you don’t need to wait until October 15 to start getting organized.

Medicare Plan Assistance can help you understand what information you’ll want to review so you’re better prepared when 2027 plan details become available.

📞 Call Medicare Plan Assistance at (561) 808-9410

We can help you understand Medicare Advantage, Part D and the factors that should go into an annual Medicare coverage review.

And remember:

Preparing for Open Enrollment doesn’t mean you have to change your plan.

It means making sure you’re ready to evaluate your coverage when the time comes.

📞 Questions? Call (561) 808-9410.

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Final Thoughts: Prepare Now, Compare Later

The smartest thing you can do on August 24 isn’t rush into a 2027 plan decision.

It’s prepare.

Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 and ends December 7.

Between now and then:

Know your current plan.

Know your doctors.

Know your medications.

Know your pharmacy.

Know your preferred hospitals.

Know what you spent.

Know which benefits you actually used.

Know what you want to improve.

Then, when 2027 plan details are available, you can compare coverage based on your actual healthcare needs rather than advertisements or assumptions.

That’s what a good annual Medicare review should accomplish.

To start preparing for Medicare Open Enrollment, call Medicare Plan Assistance at (561) 808-9410.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage?

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027, as long as the plan receives the enrollment request by December 7.

Can I change my Medicare plan before October 15?

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period doesn’t begin until October 15. Some beneficiaries may qualify for a different enrollment period, such as a Special Enrollment Period, based on their circumstances. Don’t make an early change solely because you’re preparing for AEP.

When will 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plan information be available?

CMS says it plans to release the finalized 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape in mid-to-late September 2026, along with final average premiums and other key information.

What should I prepare before Medicare Open Enrollment?

Gather your exact current plan name, doctors, specialists, preferred hospitals, prescription names and dosages, preferred pharmacy, current costs, Medicare Advantage maximum out-of-pocket limit if applicable, supplemental benefits you actually use, and expected healthcare needs for 2027.

Do I have to change Medicare plans during Open Enrollment?

No. Open Enrollment gives eligible beneficiaries an opportunity to review and make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage. If your current coverage continues to fit your needs, you aren’t required to change simply because Open Enrollment has arrived.

Should I compare Medicare Advantage plans based on extra benefits?

Extra benefits can be part of the comparison, but they shouldn’t be the only consideration. Review doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, costs, maximum out-of-pocket exposure, plan rules and the supplemental benefits you’re realistically likely to use.

Is Medicare Open Enrollment the same as Medigap Open Enrollment?

No. The October 15–December 7 Medicare Open Enrollment Period is primarily for Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage changes. It does not create a universal annual guaranteed opportunity to switch Medigap policies.

Where can I get help preparing for Medicare Open Enrollment?

Medicare Plan Assistance can help beneficiaries understand what to review before Open Enrollment and compare the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans the agency represents once 2027 information is available. Call (561) 808-9410.